Eta Carinae Widefield

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

(full res link below, couldnt compress 12mb down to 200kb for a preview)

I titled this one as a widefield image - which got me thinking what is the definition of widefiled? . For me and my equipment, i take it to mean anything not taken with my telescope .

Anyway this was taken with my 5D MK III and 120-300mm f/2.8 lens piggybacked on the telescope. I thought i was fully zoomed but forgot to check from a previous day's photography and was actually at 274mm (final image is a 66% crop due to vignetting and no flat frames) .

Settings were ISO 1250, f/3.5 and a total of 30x20 second lights and darks and 30 bias frames. This time i was more careful about ensuring i reached an optimum exposure in terms of nebulosity vs light pollution. I also improved my light pollution subtraction and DSS pre-processing technique.

This was unguided. I am working on a side-by-side setup to be able to autoguide while imaging with a normal camera configuration, and also to accurately polar align while using this configuration.

This image was using DARV drift alignment such that i had no drift through the telescope for a minute (not that accurate but good enough for 20s exposures at 274mm). Afterwards, i made time to practice PA with PHD2 and the bookmark technique. I got DEC drift to under 2 arcseconds every 3 minutes, after only 15 minutes of back and forth between computer and az adjustment, so PHD2 drift alignment is really showing promise!

I tried not to over process this one, or over saturate it, and kept the colours close to how the camera captured it. Any feedback is welcomed.

Now i have my PA routine sorted, just need a clear, dew free night and im going to image deeeeep into this one .

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psx6feumpu.jpg

[RickS (Rick)]

That's nice, Krishan. Despite being a very wide shot there's some nice detail.

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by RickS

That's nice, Krishan. Despite being a very wide shot there's some nice detail.

Thanks Rick, the small pixels of the 5D and lens quality certainly helps

[rrussell1962]

That is a damn fine picture. I may need lessons from you!

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by rrussell1962

That is a damn fine picture. I may need lessons from you!

haha thankyou Richard. you may be swayed back towards visual after i tell you the $ and time i have invested into this endeavour .

totally worth it though IMO

Ever since you showed it to me for the first time in your ginormous newt i have wanted to image it haha

[rrussell1962]

Hi Krishan, I can well imagine the investment you have made. In time as well as money. If I may say so it has paid off. Visual is a slippery slope greased with money as well! I think I will always be a visual observer, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Plus I like the challenge of the faint fuzzy objects! Now autumn is here, Virgo is up, it is time for you to turn to the dark side.

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by rrussell1962

Hi Krishan, I can well imagine the investment you have made. In time as well as money. If I may say so it has paid off. Visual is a slippery slope greased with money as well! I think I will always be a visual observer, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Plus I like the challenge of the faint fuzzy objects! Now autumn is here, Virgo is up, it is time for you to turn to the dark side.

thankyou for the kind words (not so kind on yourself ) . will PM you later tonight!

[Regulus (Trevor)]

That's a really nice image Krishan.

Trev

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by Regulus

That's a really nice image Krishan.

Trev

Thankyou Trev

[Ross G]

Hi Krishan,

That's a very nice widefield photo.

Sharp and nice colours.

I have been experimenting with widefields using a Nikon 180mm F2.8 lens.

I use a 50mm finderscope as a guide scope mounted next to the lens on a WO dovetail bar and this works quite well allowing me 10 minute and 20 minute exposures on HEQ5 mount.

BTW really like your comet photo.

Good luck.

Ross.

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by Ross G

Hi Krishan,

That's a very nice widefield photo.

Sharp and nice colours.

I have been experimenting with widefields using a Nikon 180mm F2.8 lens.

I use a 50mm finderscope as a guide scope mounted next to the lens on a WO dovetail bar and this works quite well allowing me 10 minute and 20 minute exposures on HEQ5 mount.

BTW really like your comet photo.

Good luck.

Ross.

Thankyou Ross - if i did a 10 minute exposure i would have a completely orange rectangle from all the light pollution lol. i am working on a side by side setup so i can guide while doing widefield, and drop the ISO right down for a superior image.

comets are difficult for me because of the surface brightness of the tails and the light pollution i have. im glad you like it!

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Lovely image. Very sharp with a nice balance of colour.

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Lovely image. Very sharp with a nice balance of colour.

Thankyou Kevin

[Ross G]

[QUOTE=kkara4;1169916]Thankyou Ross - if i did a 10 minute exposure i would have a completely orange rectangle from all the light pollution lol. i am working on a side by side setup so i can guide while doing widefield, and drop the ISO right down for a superior image.

Hi Krishan.
Here are a couple of photos of my widefield setup that might help you.

[kkara4 (Krishan)]

[QUOTE=Ross G;1170814]

Originally Posted by kkara4

Thankyou Ross - if i did a 10 minute exposure i would have a completely orange rectangle from all the light pollution lol. i am working on a side by side setup so i can guide while doing widefield, and drop the ISO right down for a superior image.

Hi Krishan.
Here are a couple of photos of my widefield setup that might help you.

Thanks Ross, my setup is a LOT heavier than yours . A few ideas i have in mind, just have to spend some time working on it